bariatric surgery vs GLP-1 calculator

Weight Loss Surgery vs. Medication Comparison Calculator


Enter your height and weight. We'll show you your current BMI, your ideal body weight, how much excess weight you're carrying, and how much you could expect to lose with surgery or with GLP-1 medication, based on published clinical data.

No hype. No bias. Just the numbers.

Weight Loss Treatment Estimator
Madison Surgical Associates
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Lifestyle Commitment Assessment
Why this matters: Both surgical and medication-based weight loss are most effective when combined with proper nutrition and regular exercise. Your answers help us show you more realistic, personalized estimates — not just best-case clinical trial numbers.
📊 Weight Loss & Regain Estimates: Surgical weight loss estimates are based on published clinical research including multicenter trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and long-term outcome studies (1–10 years post-procedure). Key references include data from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), peer-reviewed journals including Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (SOARD), Obesity Surgery, and JAMA Surgery, and large-scale registry data from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). Long-term surgical regain data draws from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study and the LABS cohort.

GLP-1 medication weight loss estimates are based on controlled clinical trials (STEP 1–5, OASIS 1, SURMOUNT-1–5) showing 14–21% total body weight loss over 64–72 weeks with FDA-approved formulations. Real-world adherence and results are typically lower. Weight regain projections after stopping are based on the STEP 1 Extension Study (Wilding et al., NEJM 2022) and SURMOUNT-4 (Aronne et al., JAMA 2024), which documented an average of 65% regain of lost weight within 12 months of discontinuation. Ongoing regain while continuing medication is derived from real-world observational data.

Individual results will vary significantly based on age, medical history, adherence to treatment protocols, lifestyle changes, and individual metabolism. This tool is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified bariatric surgeon before making treatment decisions.
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Surgery vs. GLP-1 — which is right for me?

Compare surgical and medical weight loss side by side based on your situation, just answer a few questions and see which option is best for you.
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Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?

Answer a few quick questions and find out if you qualify for weight loss surgery — no appointment or commitment required.
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